Now that I have seen this thread, I must say that I'm happy to see how many people have come to accept the general idea that some details in the imagery have mnemonic purpose.
However I would yet again urge that anyone who adopts this opinion does not treat it as an "idea" which can be applied ad.lib. but that they take the time and trouble to study the subject as an aspect of ancient and medieval culture.
As ever, I urge readers to begin by reading - in fact, studying - Mary Carruthers' works.
In her "Book of Memory" - which revolutionised this study, she also treats Hugh of St.Victor's
Didascalion, a translation of which is available through the internet archive:
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Another invaluable work by Carruthers:-
See for example:
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